Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson remains a top target on the waiver wire heading into Week 17. Although Parkinson let down his fantasy managers with just two catches for 21 yards last Thursday against the Seahawks, this game was likely an outlier and can be attributed to a tough matchup. Prior to that subpar outing, he had put together an impressive six-game stretch with 22 catches, 230 yards, and six touchdowns. He's a particularly appealing option given that Davante Adams (knee, hamstring) is trending toward missing Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons. Adams has been a major threat in the red zone this year, scoring 14 touchdowns. Given Parkinson's success around the goal line lately, he should take over as one of Matthew Stafford's favorite red-zone targets in Adams' absence.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Chiefs did not practice on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Thornton missed Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, and it now appears that he's at risk of missing a second consecutive game, albeit on a short week. Kansas City faces the Denver Broncos on Thursday, giving Thornton just a few days to clear the NFL's five-stage concussion protocol. The 25-year-old hasn't been a major contributor this year, catching just 19 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns. However, with Rashee Rice (concussion) also sidelined, Kansas City's receiving corps needs all the help it can get. Managers invested in Thornton's availability should stay tuned for additional updates when the Chiefs publish their subsequent injury reports on Tuesday and Wednesday. Chris Oladokun will quarterback Kansas City in Week 17, lowering the floors of all Chiefs pass-catchers in fantasy football.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Chiefs conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Rice missed Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, and it now appears that he's at risk of missing a second consecutive game, albeit on a short week. The 25-year-old's absence will be felt, given that he had been averaging 6.6 catches, 71.4 yards, and 0.6 touchdowns per game when healthy. Managers invested in Rice's availability should stay tuned for additional updates when the Chiefs publish their subsequent injury reports on Tuesday and Wednesday. If he can't suit up, Xavier Worthy will remain in the No. 1 role while catching passes from third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (knee) has been diagnosed with a knee sprain, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. The 26-year-old receiver said he feared that he might have suffered a significant knee injury, so he's relieved that additional testing revealed only a sprain. With that being said, Flournoy isn't sure if he'll be able to play in Thursday's Week 17 contest against the Washington Commanders. He was estimated as limited following Monday's walkthrough, and he now has three days to get healthy before the Cowboys' divisional contest on Christmas Day. Flournoy has impressed with 18 catches, 207 yards, and two touchdowns over his last two games, but as long as CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are healthy, he's stuck in the No. 3 receiver role and isn't a consistent option for fantasy football.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James is active for Monday's Week 16 contest against the Indianapolis Colts and is on track to make his NFL debut. The rookie had previously been a healthy scratch, but he's getting a chance to play on primetime television, perhaps in a mix of special teams and offensive depth roles. He's taking the spot of fellow rookie Isaac Guerendo, who is a healthy scratch for the first time in his young career. Guerendo has contributed on special teams this year, but he doesn't have an offensive snap yet. Both running backs remain buried on the depth chart behind Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson Jr.

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Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Jones and fellow running back Jordan Mason (ankle) both exited during the first quarter of Sunday's win over the New York Giants, but unlike Mason, Jones was able to return. The veteran ball-carrier is trending in the right direction for Week 17 against the Detroit Lions, but fantasy managers should still monitor the Vikings' upcoming practice reports for additional updates. Jones could actually take on a slightly larger role this week if Mason, who was estimated as a non-participant on Monday, doesn't suit up. As it stands, he ranks as a mid-to-low RB2.

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Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Hockenson handled 75% of the snaps in the Vikings' Week 16 win over the New York Giants, but he wasn't a major receiving threat with just one catch for two yards. The 28-year-old doesn't have much time to get healthy before the Vikings' Week 17 contest on Thursday against his old team, the Detroit Lions. Josh Oliver would earn additional volume if Hockenson doesn't suit up, but he could be catching passes from Max Brosmer after J.J. McCarthy (hand) was also estimated as a non-participant.

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Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Both Mason and Aaron Jones exited during the first quarter of Sunday's win over the New York Giants, but Jones returned while Mason did not. In fact, Mason had to be carted to the locker room, so it's possible that his injury is severe and could lead to a multi-week absence. The 26-year-old is especially unlikely to play in Week 17, since the Vikings have a quick turnaround. Minnesota faces the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day (Thursday), leaving Mason just three days to get healthy. If he doesn't suit up, Zavier Scott will back up Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle).

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (right hand) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. McCarthy exited during the middle of the Vikings' Week 16 contest and was unable to return. Video from the FOX broadcast showed McCarthy in serious pain, so between his pain level and Monday's injury report, it seems like there's a very real chance the former first-round pick misses Week 17 against the Detroit Lions. To make matters worse for McCartyhy, the Vikings and Lions have a short week, playing on Christmas Day (Thursday). He only has a few days to get healthy for Week 17. Otherwise, Max Brosmer would be in line to start against Detroit.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey bounced back in Week 16 after two quiet outings, leading the team with six targets and finishing with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown in the 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. It was a much-needed get-right performance, as McConkey reasserted himself as Herbert's primary chain-mover and red-zone option, bringing his season total to six touchdowns. However, Week 17 presents a dramatically tougher matchup against the Houston Texans, who boast one of the league's most suffocating pass defenses. Houston ranks near the top in EPA per pass, completion percentage allowed, interception rate, pressure rate, and total yards allowed. With the Texans generating consistent pressure and limiting downfield opportunities, McConkey may be limited to short-area targets and modest volume, making him a volatile WR3 rather than a dependable fantasy starter.

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Lions conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. The 26-year-old is coming off a relatively disappointing contest in which he caught four of his nine targets for 54 yards while handling a season-high 97% snap share. He did handle an increased target share on the final drive of the game, but two of his catches (including a touchdown) were called back due to penalties. The Lions have a quick turnaround before playing again on Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings, so St. Brown only has a few days to get healthy. If he suits up in Week 17, he'll be a WR1.

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is being suspended for two games without pay due to his confrontation with a fan during their victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon. Metcalf was seen physically confronting the fan during the contest. However, Pelissero noted that the lead wideout is planning to appeal his suspension as he has already reported this same fan to security last season. During their thrilling victory over the Lions, Metcalf brought in just four of his nine targets for 42 yards. However, during Weeks 14 and 15, Metcalf averaged a strong 18.1 PPR points per game and tallied 101.5 yards per game. If Metcalf were to lose his appeal, the team's top wideout would not be eligible to participate in their final two games of the regular season. This would leave Calvin Austin III (hamstring) as the tentative WR1, if he can suit up, as he suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday. With his status potentially in doubt as well, managers should expect both running backs, Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, to see an even higher target share in their Week 17 tilt against the Browns.

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Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton delivered in the team's 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys, rushing 16 times for 85 yards and a touchdown while averaging an impressive 5.3 yards per carry. Hampton handled 62% of the team's rushing attempts, especially after Kimani Vidal exited with a neck injury, and consistently showed more burst and decisiveness than his backfield mates. He also contributed as a receiver, adding a 10-yard catch. Heading into Week 17, Hampton could see an expanded role if Vidal misses time, though Houston presents a much stiffer challenge. The Texans rank among the top seven run defenses, allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards this season. Still, with the Chargers leaning on the ground game and Hampton's explosiveness standing out, he profiles as a volume-based RB2 with RB1 upside.

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Head Coach Sean McVay said that the Los Angeles Rams will not activate tight end Tyler Higbee (ankle) from injured reserve for Monday night's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. Higbee was placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury he sustained in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks. The 32-year-old was eligible to return to play in Week 16 but will remain on injured reserve. Before his injury, Higbee had hauled in 20 catches for 190 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 30 targets. In his absence, Colby Parkinson has stepped into the TE1 role for the Rams offense and has been a reliable streaming option for fantasy managers. With a playoff spot secured, the Rams will want to make sure Higbee is fully healthy before rushing him back into action.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has a serious contusion to his back and is considered day-to-day, coach John Harbaugh said, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Harbaugh also said, "It doesn't look like it's more than that. He's in there getting treatment now." Jackson was kneed in the back on a run play during the Sunday night loss to the New England Patriots. Before his exit, Jackson went seven-for-10 for 101 passing yards, along with two carries for seven rushing yards. The Ravens remain hopeful that Jackson can return to play soon as they continue to fight for a playoff spot. If Jackson is unable to play in Week 17, Tyler Huntley will be forced to start on the road against the Green Bay Packers.

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Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal was diagnosed with a neck strain and is considered day-to-day after an MRI, according to Ian Rapoport. Vidal left Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys early in the fourth quarter. Before his exit, Vidal had five carries for 11 rushing yards. The Chargers leaned on rookie Omarion Hampton and Hassan Haskins to close out the game on the ground. The 24-year-old has stepped up when needed this season, totaling 152 carries for 631 yards and three touchdowns. Vidal could miss some time, but the belief is that the injury is not serious. If Vidal does miss time, Hampton and Haskins will get more work in the backfield in his absence.

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New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime had a season high in touches on Sunday against the New York Jets. The 22-year-old had five carries for 19 yards, along with three catches for 17 yards on four targets. Estime was projected to be the lead back for the Saints with Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal missing time due to injuries, but was out-touched by Taysom Hill in Week 16. Hill led the team with 12 carries in the Saints' final home game. With Kamara's status unknown in Week 17, Estime will likely split carries with Hill and Evan Hull. With a lot of mouths to feed in the Saints' backfield, Estime should only be added off the waiver wire in deeper leagues to add bench depth heading into fantasy championships.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is coming off a week 16 win over the Broncos in which he caught six of nine targets for a career-high 145 yards and a touchdown, and he will be a popular waiver addition heading into fantasy championships. While he is capable of providing a relatively safe floor as part of a Jaguars' offense that has seen Trevor Lawrence flourish of late under the tutelage of first-year head coach Liam Coen, it's important to consider the context behind his Week 16 explosion. With Broncos' All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II shadowing Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. for most of the game, the Jaguars leaned heavily on Washington and tight end Brenton Strange. Against the Colts in Week 17, Jacksonville should see its primary pass catchers more involved, especially if Sauce Gardner, who did not practice at all before missing his third consecutive game, is unable to suit up again.

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The Kansas City Chiefs have signed fifth-year quarterback Shane Buechele off the Bills' practice squad, pending a physical. With Patrick Mahomes (ACL) and Gardner Minshew (ACL) both being lost to severe knee injuries in back-to-back weeks, the Chiefs were forced to turn to Chris Oladokun, a 2022 7th-round pick out of South Dakota State, in their Week 16 loss to the Titans. With no other quarterback currently rostered, Kansas City adds emergency depth with Buechele, who has never taken a professional snap but spent the first two years of his career with the Chiefs after going undrafted in 2021. With Oladokun primed to make the first start of his career in a Christmas night divisional matchup against the Broncos, none of the Chiefs' offensive weapons should be in consideration for fantasy championships.

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski provided no updates on quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) regarding an activation to the 53-man roster. The deadline to activate Watson from the Physically Unable to Perform list is this Tuesday, and despite telling the media that a decision would be made this week, nothing appears imminent with approximately 24 hours to go. If no move is made by the deadline, Watson will be ineligible to play in the team's final two games, likely leaving rookie Shedeur Sanders as the starter for the rest of the season. The Browns will have Watson, Sanders, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel under contract heading into 2026, but with a projected top-five pick in April's draft, they will very much be in play to further address the quarterback position.

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